Phillip K. Yeager

Phillip K. Yeager

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Education:

Michigan State University, B.S.; Detroit College of Law, J.D.Admitted to the State Bar of Michigan, 1982

Areas of Practice and Relevant Experience:

Prior to his association with the firm, Mr. Yeager was the managing partner of the Grand Rapids office of the national insurance defense firm of Morrison, Mahoney & Miller, LLP. Prior to his association with Morrison, Mahoney & Miller, LLP, Mr. Yeager was with the firm of Denenberg, Tuffley & Jamieson, P.C. for 12 years where he was the managing shareholder of its Grand Rapids, Michigan office.

Mr. Yeager has an extensive litigation background in all aspects of property/casualty insurance law, including the defense of personal injury, no fault (first and third party), products liability, subrogation, professional errors and omissions, environmental and property damage cases. Mr. Yeager has successfully tried in excess of 90 cases, of which approximately 55 involved issues of arson/fraud or subrogation. In 1992, Mr. Yeager and Mr. Meigs M. Day successfully asserted an arson defense against an insured who claimed in excess of $9 million in property damages, loss of profits, penalty interest, emotional distress and attorneys fees. This verdict was described as one of the most significant defense verdicts in the country in the March 15, 1993 issue of the National Law Journal.

In 2002 Mr. Yeager and Mr. Dennis L. Hearon successfully prosecuted a recovery action in the United States Federal District Court in Columbus, Ohio in connection with claims arising as a result of Hurricane Bonnie which hit Virginia Beach, Virginia in August of 1998. After an extensive trial the jury entered a verdict of approximately $16.2 million dollars which, after application of applicable interest, represented a total verdict in excess of $21 million dollars.

In addition to property insurance issues, Mr. Yeager also has an extensive trial background in the defense of personal injury, no-fault, products liability, and other similar liability insurance cases. In 1994, Mr. Yeager successfully prosecuted a declaratory judgment action involving allegations of sexual abuse on the part of the insured. In the underlying action, the injured party had received a jury verdict which, at the time of the trial of the declaratory judgment action, was worth approximately $6.8 million. This verdict was listed as one of the major defense verdicts in the country in the April 24, 1995 issue of the National Law Journal.

Memberships & Offices:

Member, American Bar Association

Member, Michigan Defense Trial Counsel

Member, Association of Defense Trial Counsel

Member, Defense Research Institute

Member, Michigan Arson Prevention Committee

Member, Insurance Institute of Michigan

Member, National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators

Court Appointed Mediator/Case Evaluator in numerous counties throughout Michigan